Grumpy???

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WHAT GOOD DID IT DO TO BE GRUMPY TODAY?

What good did it do to be grumpy today?

Did your surliness drive any troubles away?

Did you cover more ground than you usually do?

Because of that grouch that you carried with you?

If not, what’s the use of a grouch or a frown--

It won’t smooth a path, or a grim trouble drown.

If it doesn’t assist you, it isn’t worthwhile--

Your work may be hard, but do it--

And Smile!

Now I can’t take any credit for the above, it was written by an anonymous poet and appeared in a local newspaper years ago. My Mom cut it out and taped it on the inside of the kitchen cupboard door; there it stayed for all to read. It became part of the unspoken ‘code’. You know the list of appropriate sayings under the ‘Golden Rules’ list  (which I will save for another column).

But back to being grumpy. Do you notice how some people spend their entire workday grumbling about a task, a person, an office, the neighbors-- or about everything in general? These people are not considered ‘happy campers’-- they ooze with negativity. Words and phrases spring from their mouths with a definite sarcastic undertone, they are the experts on everything and nothing. Talking to draw attention to their plight, waiting for some unfortunate person to drift into their path and comment "poor you". It is a dangerous situation to get caught in, and yes, it happens to most of us at one point or another. The negativity can attract the unwary and affect the most unlikely. Takes persistence and awareness to avoid such situations, afrerall,  the "Woe is Me" club is not an attractive group to be a part of.

Sometimes life is like a deck of cards; some hands are good and some aren’t. One day you may receive a royal flush and another day it could be a pair of jokers. Cards are shuffled and dealt---- the game begins.  Results depend on how you play your cards. You can do it Las Vegas style, Russian roulette or Chinese water torture--- your choice. Choice is your own responsibility.

Surround yourself with positive energy, the vibes will help you feel confident. After all, confidence attracts others like an unseen magnetic field. And even if you don’t feel confident at that particular moment use the next best action—bluff. ‘ Fake it till you make it.’

Enthusiasm and vitality entice others to want to be near you, sort of like a butterfly or bumblebee looking for the nectar in a flower, keep searching and smiling until the sun shines again.  Smiles can chase the blues away and make any day brighter. Problems won’t go away, nor will they disappear, but a positive outlook can help make them bearable. Every day, we as individuals are given the ability to make a choice on how we wish to face our day and no matter the circumstances; there is always a choice.

So the way I see it is, forget about your troubles – remember, you’re not alone, we all have them, and no one is exempt. Keep your chin up and maintain a positive attitude. Now I realize this sometimes is not an easy task-- it takes work to be positive. Sometimes circumstances make it difficult to look on the brighter side, but with a conscious effort you will eventually find a brighter outlook.

After practice, smiling becomes a habit. Try it, you might like it. Plus, the muscles in your face will thank you. Did you know it takes less muscles for upturned lips than it does for down turned? Yes, so give your face a treat and use nature’s own method of wrinkle control. Your face, your family, your friends, your co-workers-- will appreciate the gesture.  After all what good did it do to be grumpy today?

SMILE, SMILE, SMILE!!!